As of the 2016 Census the Nanaimo City Centre neighbourhoods were populated more densely than the City of Nanaimo average, they were poorer than the City average, 4 of the 6 held fewer bachelor level university degrees and all but 2, downtown and Brechin, were younger.Nanaimo City Centre neighbourhoods comparative data. 2016 Census. https://t.co/Tg7G7GVOc0 pic.twitter.com/t3DI3UPEeZ
— NanaimoCommons (@NanaimoCommons) September 6, 2020
The three major public anchor institutions are located in the City Centre, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Vancouver Island University and the City of Nanaimo administrative, technological and public works centres. A large centralized recreational facility with swimming pool and ice rink is also located within the City Centre. (Trend in both the public and private sectors to centralize and consolidate has had negative consequences for the urban design of cities, what economists call "externalities." To "build back better” post-COVID we'll need to reverse that trend.)
The public institutions that comprise the arts and culture sector are clustered in close proximity in the urban core. The public art gallery, the Port Theatre, the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, the museum, the central library. The City Council Chamber is accessed from downtown's High Street, Commercial Street.
These Nanaimo City Centre neighbourhoods were home to 33% of Nanaimo’s population while occupying only 17% of the city's land area. This is the heart of the city, its economic, social, and cultural engine.
These are the most environmentally sustainable neighbourhoods in the city. The population density and proximity of shops and services, schools and public spaces, result in it being more likely that these are accessed without a car. A higher percentage of households live more compactly, in condos and apartments with shared walls, dramatically increasing heating efficiency. It’s well established that transportation and building heating account for 30-40% of the carbon we put in the atmosphere.
These, in other cities, are the neighbourhoods, the oldest in the city, where Form-Based Code zoning has been successful. Creating from the “good bones” of the older neighbourhoods more resilient places "where people can work, shop, learn and play within a 15-minute walk or bike ride, the 15-minute city... “an economy-booster”
Urban3 and Strong Towns research looking at city taxation revenues by acre and cost-per-citizen of delivering city services shows that city centre neighbourhoods punch above their weight. Similar analysis here would show that these Nanaimo neighbourhoods pay for sprawl where taxation and user fee revenues are less per acre and the cost-per-citizen to the city of providing services and amenities higher.
We’ve underinvested in these neighbourhoods. We’ve focused too much on neighbourhood-harming private car infrastructure.
Street trees and sidewalks; traffic calming; mobility and accessibility mode alternatives; public spaces, both grassy parks and playgrounds but also, importantly, small urban squares that facilitate neighbourly encounters. Livability goals, making these neighbourhoods all the more desirable, can be met here by careful urban design planning specific to the city centre, while increasing population density across this area. One size does not fit all. This area needs its own urban design plan.
We’ve underinvested in these neighbourhoods. We’ve focused too much on neighbourhood-harming private car infrastructure.
Street trees and sidewalks; traffic calming; mobility and accessibility mode alternatives; public spaces, both grassy parks and playgrounds but also, importantly, small urban squares that facilitate neighbourly encounters. Livability goals, making these neighbourhoods all the more desirable, can be met here by careful urban design planning specific to the city centre, while increasing population density across this area. One size does not fit all. This area needs its own urban design plan.
Geospatial analysis of each of these neighbourhoods with link to full 2016 Census StatsCan data can be found here.
